FRIDAY, 11 DECEMBER TO SUNDAY, 13 DECEMBER 2026 ROME, ITALY
A JOURNEY INTO GOD’S MYSTICAL LOVE
The first regularly scheduled interfaith, international Faith and Science conference, transitioning between:
- Physics to Creation,
- Chemistry to Life,
- Biology to Consciousness,
- Psychology to Mysticism.
Culminating in research on Consciousness and Mysticism.
Our goal is to show those leaving their faith and the clergy, scientists, and medical professionals serving them, that current faith and science reinforce each other.
CONFERENCE AGENDA
Friday, 11 December
Opening Prayer
- His Em. Peter Cardinal Turkson
Welcome Introduction
- David Lorimer, Moderator
- Deacon Dr. Robert Hesse
MYSTICAL CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER
Physics to Creation
- Dr. Jennifer Wiseman
- Dr. Bernard Carr
- Q&A and Dialogue
Chemistry to Life
- Dr. Kate Adamala
- Dr. Simon Conway Morris
- Q&A and Dialogue
PANEL DISCUSSION OF DAY
VATICAN OBSERVATORY: VIRTUAL TOUR
VATICAN MUSEUM, SISTINE CHAPEL
Saturday, 12 December
POPE LEO XIV AUDIENCE, PENDING AVAILABILITY
KABBALA CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER
- Rabbi Harvey Rosenstock
- Rabbi Laura Kaplan
Biology to Consciousness
- Dr. Federico Faggin
- Dr. Harold Koenig
- Q&A and Dialogue
Psychology to Mysticism
- Dr. James Finley
- Dr. Robert Hesse
- Q&A and Dialogue
Panel Discussion of Day Path Forward
SUFI CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER
- Imam Jamal Rahman
- Seemi Ghazi
Sunday, 13 December
BORGHESE GALLERY
CHAPEL ST. MARIA DELLA VITTORIA
CONFERENCE VENUE
The hybrid conference will be both webinar and in-person attendance at the 120-seat Palazzo Cardinal Cesi, hotel conference center. It is conveniently located next to St. Peter’s Square.
INTERFAITH PRAYER
Each day will open with a brief instructed practicum of contemplative prayer, a silent prayer, which lends itself to interfaith teaching and practice, since in the silence there is no dogma. This will gently draw registrants into the experience of consciousness and potential mysticism, in preparation for the last presentations on these subjects.
ENHANCING OFFSITES
- Relevant offsites will reinforce the topics.
- Physics to Creation: Virtual video presentation on the Vatican Observatory.
- Chemistry to Life: Sacred music in the Sistine Chapel with the focus on Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam.
- Biology to Consciousness: Tour the Borghese Gallery with focus on Bernini’s sculpture, Apollo and Daphne, symbolic of the birth of the consciousness and free will.
- Psychology to Mysticism: Tour the Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria with focus on Bernini’s sculpture, Ecstasy of St. Teresa of Avila, a mystical experience.
The agenda follows the textbook:
FAITH AND SCIENCE: A JOURNEY INTO GOD’S MYSTICAL LOVE
By Deacon Robert J. Hesse, Ph.D.
A COPY OF THE BOOK IS PROVIDED
AT DISCOUNT WITH PAID REGISTRATION